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Premier League Clubs Weigh Spending Reforms as Anchoring Cap Faces Possible Delay

Legal challenges now jeopardize the Premier League’s proposed hard cap.

Overview

  • Executives from all 20 clubs meet on Friday to discuss and potentially vote on sweeping financial controls.
  • The top-to-bottom anchoring plan would cap total squad spending at five times the previous season’s bottom-club central payment, estimated near £550 million.
  • The Professional Footballers’ Association and leading agencies have threatened legal action, arguing a cap would restrict earnings and breach competition law.
  • Sources indicate the league could withdraw the anchoring vote due to legal risk and uncertain support, while an 85% Squad Cost Ratio to replace PSR may still be put to a vote.
  • Sixteen clubs are running a no-penalty anchoring trial this season, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa opposed and Chelsea abstaining; any change requires 14 votes and proposed penalties include fines and points deductions.